Somewhere Between Well and Ill...

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2 Somewhere Between Well and Ill... You say to yourself, I'm not sick. But do you go through your day feeling just not right? Maybe you've noticed several seemingly unrelated, vague symptoms such as: - skin irritation, - fatigue, - bloating, - weight gain, - a foggy mind. Most people accept these symptoms as ordinary issues of day-to-day living, never suspecting they could be part of a larger problem. This is sad because often times that larger problem CAN be addressed and improved. A possible culprit? Adrenal fatigue. Perhaps you've heard of adrenal fatigue and wondered what all the buzz is about. We're here to shed some light on this often misunderstood condition: what it is, what it isn't, and what you can do about it.

3 What Causes Adrenal Fatigue? The adrenals are small glands located above each of our kidneys. Among other things, these glands excrete the chemical adrenaline into the body. When we become stressed in the short term; this causes the body's natural fight or flight response. The adrenal glands also secrete the hormones cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. When a person is under prolonged physical or emotional stress, the adrenal glands release elevated amounts of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. If this condition continues, and in this high-stress society, it often does, the adrenal glands will eventually fatigue and decrease cortisol output. The resulting condition is called adrenal fatigue.

4 What Are the Signs That You Have Too Much Cortisol? Do the following scenarios sound familiar to you? It's mid-afternoon, and you're dazed and exhausted. You've had 3 cups of coffee already today and it's just not cutting it, so you head to the vending machine and grab a quick snack... then stop in the break room and sneak another slice of cake from the fridge, left over from a birthday yesterday. The cake isn't good, but you find yourself shoving it in your mouth anyway - and somehow it makes you feel better for a while. You got eight hours' sleep, but you wake up still feeling deflated. Sore and restless from a night of tossing and turning, you know it's going to be a long day. Every day seems to stretch on forever.

5 For as long as you can remember, you've had increasing trouble keeping things straight in your head. Though you wouldn't classify it as major depression, you feel generally anxious and irritable about nearly everything, and even minor tasks are overwhelming. Even though you can muddle through, deep down, you don't think things are ever going to get better. All of these preceding examples demonstrate a classic reaction to the body's imbalance of cortisol. Though our bodies vary greatly in the way we react to increased cortisol, many people experience a combination of the following: depression, anxiety, nervousness, irritability waking in the night, with corresponding insomnia vertigo when standing up craving carbohydrate-filled foods weight gain blood pressure issues needing caffeine to get through the day low libido chronic fatigue For many people, these symptoms sound all too familiar. If so, what should you do? Chances are good that you'll need a test to confirm the condition.

6 How Do You Get Tested For Adrenal Fatigue? It is important to speak with a health professional if you feel you have symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Since unbalanced cortisol levels are a primary symptom of adrenal fatigue, it is important to get a 4-point salivary test. Even though a blood test can be done for cortisol levels, Saliva is proven to be a better source of cortisol testing over blood and offers solid results. At Atlas Drug and Nutrition, you can get tested for adrenal fatigue by a qualified health professional. Can the Stress Hormone Cortisol Cause Weight Gain? Many people who deal with cortisol imbalance deal with a nagging weight problem. On the whole they may make healthy eating choices, but give in often to powerful cravings for carbohydrates. Often stressed, they will reach for the sensory comfort of food. They may find themselves eating food that doesn't even taste good because it fills a subconscious craving for sugar or carbs.

7 Interestingly, even though cortisol is not solely responsible for weight gain, studies have shown that it definitely plays a factor in both weight gain and appetite. Since cortisol is a stress hormone, its job is to prepare the body to survive in dangerous situations. When cortisol spikes, it signals the body to eat calorie-dense foods. Of course, if we're in short-term danger, this is a great protection for us, but when under modern long-term stress, hitting the mashed potatoes and cake isn't going to help. Let's look at a few examples. Let's say you're up for a promotion and you've been dealing with constant pressure for months. The boss expects more from you: longer hours, better performance, more pizazz. The demands of family have not decreased, and now you're having dreams about work. You feel like it's never going to end. Suppose you've had a baby and you're adjusting to the stresses and strains of motherhood while dealing with the changes in the relationship with your spouse. Your body has changed so much in the last few months, and you haven't slept in what seems like ages. Most importantly, you feel like you must be doing a bad job, because deep down, you know you have no idea what you're doing.

8 These two preceding examples illustrate nicely the kind of modern, chronic stress that many people find themselves under. Perhaps the situations don't seem wildly stressful to you, but the stressors are enough to send our body into an imbalanced state. How do our hormones react when the stress hormone cortisol floods our system? Scientifically, cortisol is known to bind to receptors in the brain that stimulate the person to eat food that is high in fat and sugar. It also regulates other hormones that stimulate appetite, like leptin, neuropeptide Y and corticotrophin. So in short, when we're stressed chronically, we stay hungry. We want to munch on all things fatty and sweet and 'comforting'. It's easy to see how this is a shortcut to weight gain.

9 How Do You Manage High Cortisol Levels? If you feel strongly that adrenal fatigue is an issue for you, take heart. Adrenal fatigue is reversible. Though there really isn't one simple fix for adrenal fatigue and high cortisol levels, there several lifestyle changes that can, in time, improve the condition. Get professional help. Working with a physician familiar with adrenal fatigue, as well as consulting with a nutritionist can make all the difference in the world. Improve stress management. Cut as many stressors out of your life as you can. Work to improve relationships that matter to you. Try relaxation and breathing techniques. Get higher quality sleep. Try to get seven or eight hours of quality sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, try taking 3-5mg of Melatonin or mg of L-Tryptophan on an empty stomach. Exercise regularly. If you do not have the energy to pursue an active exercise routine, focus on good nutrition and improved lifestyle. Begin your increased activity with gentle exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching.

10 Eat for your disease. There is much to be said about eating properly for adrenal disease. Most importantly, cut out processed foods and sugars. Focus on eating at least eight servings of fresh vegetables (preferably organic) every day. Beef up your intake of natural fats, like those found in nuts, seeds, fresh fish, organic butter and coconut oil. In this stressful day and age, day-to-day living has definitely taken a toll on many people. Stress has become not just a regular part of life, but a truly damaging part. If you're ready to improve the way you feel, begin now with these simple yet effective steps toward a happier and healthier you. We wish you many happy and healthy tomorrows!

11 It's Time to FEEL GOOD AGAIN ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? We re so happy you ve downloaded this e-book on on adrenal fatigue! We hope that the information contained here has been insightful to you. If you d like to learn more about adrenal fatigue, or obtain advice tailored to your unique needs and challenges, please schedule your free consultation now.